Jamaican Government Urges Motorcyclists To Wear Protective Helmets As Four Killed In Road Accident

KINGSTON, Jamaica, June 1, 2018 (CMC) – The Jamaica government has called on motorcyclists and their pillion riders to wear protective helmets at all times, after four people were killed when two motorcycles crashed head on, earlier this week.

The Ministry of Transport and Mining, in expressing condolence to the families of all victims of Wednesday night’s accident in Westmoreland, south of here, said the loss of lives, along the roadways, is always regrettable.

It said it wanted to use the opportunity to implore motorcyclists and pillion passengers across Jamaica, to wear protective helmets all the time.

Police said that the four people, including 31-year-old renowned photographer, Everton ‘Tweetie’ Spence, died as a result of the injuries received, when the bicycles crashed into each other.

The others killed have been identified as 21-year-old Sherika Horton, 20-year-old Kadean Campbell and 33-year-old Ryan Robinson.

Spence was a pillion rider, while Horton and Campbell were pillion riders on the other motorcycle. Police said the two women were killed on the spot, while the three men were rushed to the Savanna-la-Mar Hospital, where Robinson and Spence were pronounced dead.

Meanwhile, Transport and Mining Minister, Robert Montague, says the passage of the new Road Traffic Act will assist in reducing road fatalities, by allowing the Island Traffic Authority (ITA) to fully regulate and enforce, more aggressive motor vehicle laws.

“To achieve this, we have started to repair and upgrade the offices, island-wide. Our staff has been trained and retrained, and technology introduced to make the workflow better,” Montague said.

The ITA is responsible for issuing drivers’ certificates of competence and certifying the road worthiness of most vehicles, and Montague told legislators that motorists are now getting a machine-printed fitness certificate.

He said the authority’s database is being upgraded and protected, and new alliances are being formed with the police to help remove illegal driver’s licence holders from the roads, adding that the driver’s licence application process will be automated soon.

“The points system is now being computerised to ascertain when you exceed the points allowed, and Passport, Immigration and Citizenship Agency, Tax Administration Jamaica, Transport Authority, National Land Agency, banks, insurance companies, and the police will be notified that your licence is suspended,” he added.